CALDWELL, N.J. -- Junior shortstop Ashleigh Tavaska (Jackson, N.J.) launched a walk-off, three-run triple in the gap in left center, giving Caldwell Softball a dramatic 7-6, eight-inning victory in thee opener of its doubleheader with Franklin Pierce on Friday at Caldwell Athletic Field.

FPU (9-5) rallied to win the nightcap, 8-5.

In game one, the lead change hands four times before Tavaska's clutch hit won it. Trailing, 6-4, with the automatic runner on second to start the frame, an infield error followed by a single by junior 2B Grace Vondracek (Odessa, N.Y.) to left loaded the bases. Tavaska then ripped her third hit of the game, driving home three of her six runs in the opener. Vondracek was 4-for-4, scoring three runs, while Graduate 3B Riley Riendeau (Lincoln, R.I.) and freshman LF Brooke Freschi (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) had two hits each. Graduate RHP Madison Burns (East Greenbush, N.Y.) allowed no earned runs in two innings of relief to collect her third victory.

In Game 2, the Cougars (12-8) took an early lead on a two-run single down the left field line by freshman C Taylor Quinn (Colonie, N.Y.) in the first inning, then after the Ravens took a 4-2 lead, battled back in the second, a run-scoring single by Tavaska and error on the play tying the game.

Another Tavaska single, for her eighth RBI of the day, tied the game at 5-5 in the fourth. But FPU scored three in the fifth and closed out the game for the final margin.

Vondracek went 6-for-6, with a walk and hit by pitch to boost her batting average to .882 and her on-base percentage to .636, both tops in the CACC.

Junior Jessica Klein (Trevose, Pa.) had three hits and stole three bases for the Cougars in Game 2.

Caldwell is scheduled to play Southern Connecticut at Caldwell Athletic Field on Sunday at noon, weather and field conditions permitting.